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Cyclonic storm ‘Mocha’ that is likely to hit the Bangladesh coast on Sunday may leave a similar trail of destruction that was caused by Cyclone Sidr in 2007, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD).
“Mocha is expected to intensify into a severe cyclone by midnight and further strengthen into a very severe cyclone by tomorrow, said Bangladesh Meteorological Department Director Md Azizur Rahman at a press conference at his office in Dhaka on Thursday afternoon.
Explaining the similarities between Mocha and Sidr, he said that the two cyclones shared certain characteristics. “Sidr possessed distinct branding, a particular eye formation, and a shared pattern, all of which are now being observed in Mocha as well”, Azizur Rahman stated.
Cyclone Sidr, one of the worst natural disasters in Bangladesh, made landfall on November 15, 2007, causing large-scale evacuations. Save the Children estimated the number of deaths associated with the cyclone was between 3,100 and 10,000.
A very severe cyclone is expected to have wind speeds ranging from 119km/h to 219km/h in gusts or squalls, while the severe cyclone will have wind speeds between 89km/h and 117km/h, the BMD director said.
Due to the impact of Mocha, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds are likely to occur in coastal regions after May 13. The timing of the cyclone’s landfall concerning the high or low tide will determine the height of the tides, which is currently uncertain.
The maritime ports of Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been advised to hoist warning signal number two, as a precautionary measure. All fishing boats and trawlers over North Bay and the deep sea have been advised to remain with caution and not to venture into the deep sea.
In a Marine warning, BMD stated that the cyclone centred about 1255 km south-southwest of Chattogram port, 1180 km south-southwest of Cox’s Bazar port, 1220 km south-southwest of Mongla port and 1185 km south-southwest of Payra port at noon on Thursday.
Meanwhile, India Meteorological Department (IMD) also said that the storm is very likely to move nearly northwards and gradually intensify into a severe cyclonic storm around Thursday evening and further into a very severe cyclonic storm by Friday morning over the central Bay of Bengal.
Thereafter, it is likely to recurve gradually and move north-northeastwards with further intensification. Mocha is likely to cross southeast Bangladesh and north Myanmar coasts between Cox’s Bazar and Kyaukpyu of Myanmar, around noon on Sunday as a very severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 150-160 km/h gusting to 175 km/h.
